Southern California -- this just in

Nearly $1 million in pot seized from 'home-grow' operation

August 30, 2012 | 9:44
pm

Deputies seized nearly $1 million in marijuana at a sophisticated indoor growing operation in Hidden Hills, authorities said Thursday night.

About a 1,000 plants and 40 pounds of processed marijuana were found inside a home in the 23000 block of Oakfield Road, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. A .40-caliber Beretta semiautomatic handgun was also found at the home.

Dozens of high-intensity growing lights were being powered by electricity that was stolen via a utility bypass that had been set up at the "home grow" operation, authorities said.

Deputies arrested Robert Larue, 54, of Lawndale and Mauricio Lara, 50, of Los Angeles. Both men were allegedly at the home when deputies served a search warrant, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Authorities said Larue was released after posting $100,000 bail and that Lara was being held on a federal immigration hold.